Catheterization of an Anesthetized Sheep for 3D Angiogram Analysis

To begin, place a sedated sheep in the left lateral recumbency position on the catheterization table. Press buttons 7 and 3 on the control panel to move the C-arm to the sheep and adjust the table. Then auto-position the C-arm towards the left side of the table.

Next, use a 21-gauge puncture needle on a 10-cubic centimeter Luer syringe to access the internal jugular vein. Carefully disconnect the syringe while holding the needle steady. Now insert a 0.018-inch stainless steel wire guide through the needle into the vessel.

Remove the needle from over the wire. Place a 5 French dilator over the wire and into the vessel. After removing the inner piece of the dilator and wire, feed a 0.038-inch guide wire through the dilator into the vessel and remove the dilator.

With an 11 blade scalpel, cut the skin above the vein just where the wire enters. Feed a 9 French sheath over the guide wire and into the vessel. Then remove the inner sheath section and guide wire.

Aspirate the blood to confirm sheath placement. Flush the sheath with heparinized saline. After inserting two 9 French sheaths in the right internal jugular vein, inject 150 units per kilogram of heparin through the IV to prevent clotting.

Now, use the foot pedal to start fluoroscopy. Insert a JR catheter through the sheath, following the thoracic IVC across the diaphragm into the abdominal IVC. Thread a Rosen wire through the JR catheter until it reaches the abdominal IVC and the tip emerges from the JR catheter.

While holding the Rosen wire in place, gently remove the JR catheter. When the second sheath has similarly been inserted, thread a 7 French multi-track catheter over each Rosen wire. Now place one multi-track angiographic catheter in the abdominal IVC for contrast injection.

Place another multi-track angiographic catheter into the specific region of interest for pressure measurement.